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September 24, 2024
At the end of June, Machida Zelvia seemed destined to achieve one of football’s most remarkable feats. In their inaugural top-flight season, Zelvia held a five-point lead in the J1 League, poised to become the unlikeliest of champions in Asia’s most competitive domestic league. They had consistently outperformed their rivals, including defending champions Vissel Kobe and perennial powerhouses Yokohama F. Marinos and Kashima Antlers.
However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Following an emphatic 6-2 victory over Marinos, Sanfrecce Hiroshima has surged to the top of the standings, marking a remarkable run of eight wins and one draw in their last nine league matches.
Both teams are tied on 59 points, but Sanfrecce claims the summit solely on goal difference. With just seven games left in the season, Sanfrecce, not Zelvia, is emerging as the favorite for the title.
Vissel Kobe should not be overlooked, as they trail the leading duo by only a single point. Additionally, Kashima Antlers remain in the hunt, sitting six points behind with a game in hand that could further tighten the race if they secure a victory. The competition is heating up, and the pressure is mounting on Zelvia as they strive to maintain their remarkable ascent in the league.
Yet, it’s genuinely remarkable how Sanfrecce Hiroshima has almost effortlessly erased what was once a daunting 12-point deficit, having fallen as low as fifth place in the standings—especially considering a key player’s seemingly costly mid-season departure.
In the first half of the season, Sanfrecce’s success was significantly tied to Yuki Ohashi, who netted 11 goals in 22 appearances before earning a high-profile transfer to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. He has seamlessly continued his scoring form in Europe, adding five goals in his first eight matches.
Since Ohashi’s exit, Sanfrecce has dramatically increased their scoring average from 1.8 to 2.6 goals per league game. While not a direct replacement, the signing of Tolgay Arslan has proven to be a strategic masterstroke. Since joining the team, the former Hamburg and Udinese player has quickly become Sanfrecce’s top scorer, finding the net seven times in just seven matches.
Additionally, the recent acquisition of Portugal international Gonçalo Paciência—who boasts impressive credentials from his time at Porto and Eintracht Frankfurt—further strengthens the squad. His arrival adds depth and quality, positioning Sanfrecce to continue their pursuit of the title.
Gonçalo Paciência’s start at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima has been more steady than spectacular, particularly when compared to the impact made by Tolgay Arslan. Nevertheless, Paciência has successfully opened his account in the J1 League and the AFC Champions League Two.
His addition has further enhanced Sanfrecce’s squad depth, allowing for more tactical flexibility. Douglas Vieira serves as a solid alternative for the lone striker position. At the same time, Pieros Sotiriou proved to be an adequate impact substitute during the emphatic victory over Marinos last weekend.
Sanfrecreece’s strength extends beyond their attacking prowess. With 61 goals scored in the J1 League—11 more than the next closest team, Vissel Kobe—they have also established a formidable defensive unit. Goalkeeper Keisuke Osako and seasoned center-backs Hayato Araki and Sho Sasaki form the backbone of a well-organized defense. As a result, even a veteran like Tsukasa Shiotani, a runner-up with Japan in the AFC Asian Cup in 2019, has occasionally found himself on the bench, highlighting the team’s impressive depth.
Shunki Higashi has been one of the most consistent wide players in the competition over the past few seasons. At just 24, he is undoubtedly aiming for a move to Europe. Complementing him on the opposite flank, Naoto Arai has also made significant contributions, netting six goals this season, including an impressive hat-trick from the right wing-back position during a 5-0 victory against Kyoto Sanga in May.
With quality players contributing across the pitch, it’s no surprise that Sanfrecce Hiroshima has steadily climbed into title contention. The club is no stranger to success, having secured three J1 League titles in the past, the most recent being in 2015.
While their potential triumph may not be as surprising as a Zelvia championship win, Sanfrecce is entirely focused on crafting its own fairytale ending for the 2024 season as it approaches the final seven games of the campaign.
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